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COMMON NAME: Eastern and
Gippsland Water Dragon
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Physignathus lesueurii howittii
FAMILY: Agamidae
GENUS: Physignathus
STATUS: Secure
SIZE (cm): 20 |
DESCRIPTION: Two subspecies recognised. P. l. lesueurii
(Eastern Water Dragon) Adults: Ground colour pale to dark yellowish
brown, shades of grey to brownish grey. Up to 7 broad blackish bars
extend across dorsum (most intense anteriorly), becoming narrower and
fading on upper flanks. Numerous enlarged spinose transversely aligned
pale scales form broken irregular lines across body, hindlimbs and tail.
Prominent broad black stripe extends from eye, through ear onto side
of neck. Limbs darker shade of ground colour to almost black; with or
without irregular pale bands. Tail prominently to obscurely marked with
dark and pale bands, becoming darker and drabber towards tip. Ventral
surfaces flushed with yellowish brown to bright red; often extending
onto lower flanks. Mature males are larger with stronger pattern, heavier
jowls and greater development of crest. Juveniles are darker; ground
colour obscuring black dorsal and temporal markings. Pattern dominated
by transversely aligned series of pale scales. Ventral surfaces lack
red pigment. P. l. howittii McCoy, 1844 (Gippsland Water Dragon) Differs
from nominate form in bearing olive-green to bluish green colouration,
and by absence or reduction of dark streak behind eye. Dorsal bars are
reduced to one or more upper lateral blotches. Red ventral pigment absent,
replaced by olive-green. Throats of mature males blackish, blotched
and streaked with combinations of yellow, orange, and occasionally blue.
SVL 200 mm.
PREFERRED HABITAT: Margins of creeks, rivers and
lakes (including semi-polluted creeks and drains in urban areas) on
coast, ranges and hinterland of eastern Australia.
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